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shawniebooks's review
3.0
This was pretty entertaining for the author's first book. I like the heroine and her scandalous hobbies. I look forward to reading about the rest of the characters in the series.
tessisreading2's review
4.0
Good book, stupid title. It's far less madcap than the title implies - while it definitely falls in the realm of "contemporary romance in regency clothing," and uses its full assortment of regency romance cliches and then some, it's well-written and highly focused on interpersonal relationships (not just the hero and heroine's). The characterizations are really strong and we see good, loving people doing bad things for the right reasons or good things for the wrong ones; on some level it's about growing up and figuring out your adult life and family. There is definitely a TON of sequel bait, about which I have mixed feelings.
themarishale's review
4.0
A quick, enjoyable read! Four stars instead of five simply because some parts were just a wee bit clunky in execution (mainly the main characters’ argument toward the end), but Ms. Ramsey was able to move the story along in a way that still maintained my interest.
That said, the drama unfolded and resolved well, and the little twist regarding the actress’ “demise” and the resolution was brilliantly handled. I want that costume for myself!
The intimate scenes were HOT, and stayed well within the language boundaries of the genre (for those who like the romance bits but don’t necessarily enjoy all out erotica).
I downloaded this title while it was a free Amazon Kindle offering, but immediately purchased the second in the series when I finished reading it, and would definitely recommend for those who love HR and want to devour a book in a sitting.
That said, the drama unfolded and resolved well, and the little twist regarding the actress’ “demise” and the resolution was brilliantly handled. I want that costume for myself!
The intimate scenes were HOT, and stayed well within the language boundaries of the genre (for those who like the romance bits but don’t necessarily enjoy all out erotica).
I downloaded this title while it was a free Amazon Kindle offering, but immediately purchased the second in the series when I finished reading it, and would definitely recommend for those who love HR and want to devour a book in a sitting.
sassysmutlover's review
5.0
I loved this book. I liked everything about it and did not want to put down. I can't wait to read the other books.
lassarina's review
5.0
This was a thoroughly delightful novel. Madeleine is a woman with a passion for the stage, which naturally is forbidden for a young unmarried woman of quality. So she makes a false identity and sneaks out of the house to perform when she ought to be attending social events. Meanwhile, she has been engaged by Ferguson, a newly minted duke, to chaperone his sisters—brutal proof of her spinster status.
Ferguson happens to see her on stage and, though he does not recognize her, he does follow her carriage home, and deduces who she is. To protect her virtue, she pretends, as her actress persona, to be his mistress, so she won't need to take another protector. Shenanigans ensue, naturally.
I really loved that there was no nasty judgment on Ferguson's part for the fact that she was on the stage; he didn't assume she had to be sleeping around.
Another thing I loved was the relationships. Although it's clearly the launching-point for a series, with lots and lots of sequel-bait characters littering the stage, every one of them contributed meaningfully to this story, which isn't always the case in first-of-a-series books. Madeleine's friends and family were delightful, as were Ferguson's, and didn't feel like flat cut-outs as so many romances' supporting characters can be.
I loved how this book tackled both the privileges Madeleine enjoys (in so many ways) as well as the way she feels locked in a gilded cage - her friends have other outlets for their creative passions, able to hide behind pen names, but she does not, and it frustrates her immensely. I also loved the ways her family reacted to finding out her secret (as of course they had to do), and how organically that came together.
I will definitely pursue further books in this series.
Ferguson happens to see her on stage and, though he does not recognize her, he does follow her carriage home, and deduces who she is. To protect her virtue, she pretends, as her actress persona, to be his mistress, so she won't need to take another protector. Shenanigans ensue, naturally.
I really loved that there was no nasty judgment on Ferguson's part for the fact that she was on the stage; he didn't assume she had to be sleeping around.
Another thing I loved was the relationships. Although it's clearly the launching-point for a series, with lots and lots of sequel-bait characters littering the stage, every one of them contributed meaningfully to this story, which isn't always the case in first-of-a-series books. Madeleine's friends and family were delightful, as were Ferguson's, and didn't feel like flat cut-outs as so many romances' supporting characters can be.
I loved how this book tackled both the privileges Madeleine enjoys (in so many ways) as well as the way she feels locked in a gilded cage - her friends have other outlets for their creative passions, able to hide behind pen names, but she does not, and it frustrates her immensely. I also loved the ways her family reacted to finding out her secret (as of course they had to do), and how organically that came together.
I will definitely pursue further books in this series.
sadie_rae's review
5.0
A surprisingly wonderful find! I picked this book up to read on a whim, not realizing that I had already marked one of the books in the series as a 'to read', and oh my goodness I LOVED this book! It has almost everything that you could want, secret identity's, a rakish Duke, scorned ex-lovers, family scandals, romance, and an author that keeps you hooked to the very end!
Lady Madeleine has a secret, for the last two weeks she has been preforming as the lead actress in a play. If discovered the scandal would ruin her, and quite possibly her family. On the night of what was to be her final performance however her theater, a theater most commonly visited by servants and not nobles of the Ton, is visited by a Duke and his friends. The theater owner seeing and opportunity blackmails Madeleine into another month of acting.
It doesn't take long for the Duke, Ferguson, to connect Madeleine with the actress who played Hamlet at his theater. If only he had kept his mouth shut to others then Madeleine wouldn't be in need of a protector from other Men of the Ton looking to make Madame Guerrie, Lady Madeleine's stage name, their mistress. More unfortunate is that he had just previously secured Madeleine as a chaperone for his sisters, now he must help Madeleine continue her charade if he wishes to prevent a scandal which his family can ill afford.
Past sins, ex-lovers, well meaning family and the Ton all come into play though and in the end two people who thought to never marry or find love end up doing just that.
I loved the end of this book where tensions are high and Madeleine's identity, and reputation, is at stake. I think that if it were me I would continue on with the charade of appearing in public as Ferguson's wife and separately his mistress. Just think of the waves it would cause if they managed to keep the charade going for years, I think I would go on until his sisters and her cousins were all married and then revile it! So a full 5 STARS for this book, I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next book in the series!
Lady Madeleine has a secret, for the last two weeks she has been preforming as the lead actress in a play. If discovered the scandal would ruin her, and quite possibly her family. On the night of what was to be her final performance however her theater, a theater most commonly visited by servants and not nobles of the Ton, is visited by a Duke and his friends. The theater owner seeing and opportunity blackmails Madeleine into another month of acting.
It doesn't take long for the Duke, Ferguson, to connect Madeleine with the actress who played Hamlet at his theater. If only he had kept his mouth shut to others then Madeleine wouldn't be in need of a protector from other Men of the Ton looking to make Madame Guerrie, Lady Madeleine's stage name, their mistress. More unfortunate is that he had just previously secured Madeleine as a chaperone for his sisters, now he must help Madeleine continue her charade if he wishes to prevent a scandal which his family can ill afford.
Past sins, ex-lovers, well meaning family and the Ton all come into play though and in the end two people who thought to never marry or find love end up doing just that.
I loved the end of this book where tensions are high and Madeleine's identity, and reputation, is at stake. I think that if it were me I would continue on with the charade of appearing in public as Ferguson's wife and separately his mistress. Just think of the waves it would cause if they managed to keep the charade going for years, I think I would go on until his sisters and her cousins were all married and then revile it! So a full 5 STARS for this book, I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next book in the series!
mariaelisamo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
ritaroo27's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0